Dog tear staining – when should I see a vet?
Book a vet visitThis is not usually an emergency on its own – contact your vet if it lasts, gets worse or your dog seems unwell in any other way. Tear staining is brown, pink or red staining that runs from the corner of the eyes and is often harmless, although it could be caused by an eye problem.
Contact a vet if you see any of this
- Recently developed tear staining
What you can do now
- Contact your vet if it is new or concerning.
- Note when it started, how often it happens and what else you see.
- Take a photo or short video to show your vet.
- Keep fresh water available.
Don't
- Do not give any human medicine.
- Do not wait if it gets worse.
What it can mean
Tear staining is brown, pink or red staining that runs from the corner of the eyes.[1] It is often harmless, but it could be caused by an eye problem.[1] Tear staining is a very common problem, especially in white-coated dogs.[1]
Possible causes
Not sure how serious it is?
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Common questions
What is tear staining?
Tear staining is brown, pink or red staining that runs from the corner of the eyes.[1]
Is tear staining usually serious?
It is often harmless, but it could be caused by an eye problem.[1]
When should I contact a vet?
Book in to see your vet if your dog has recently developed tear staining.[1]
Sources
How this page was made: written with the help of AI from the sources below, then checked claim by claim against those sources. Urgency levels follow OkPaw’s fixed safety rules. It is guidance, not a diagnosis. How we write our pages
Unable To Urinate
Vomiting
Bad Breath
Blindness